WEAH WINS LIBERIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

MONROVIA : Former football star George Weah has defeated vice-president Joseph Boakai to win Liberia's presidential run-off election and succeed incumbent Ellen Johnson Sirleaf next month-

The country's first democratic transition in over 70 years.

With 98.1%  of the vote counted, Weah lead with 61.5% to Boakai's 38.5%, National Election Commission chairman Jerome Korkoyah told reporters in the  capital Mnrovia on Thursday.

At his party headquarters outside Monrovia, tears streamed Weah's face as he greeted supporters for a balcony.

''Success for Geroge Weah is victory for the whole country,'' a 47-year-old engineer named Randall Zarkpah said as he walked his young son.
''When you feel sick for some time and you receive proper medication   -that is how I feel now. He will be good for our country. He is King George!''

Weah grew up in Clara Town slum in Monrovia and went on to become the only African FIFA World Player of the Year, starring for AC Milan, Paris St Germain and Chelsea.

His rag-to-riches story helped him tap into dissatisfaction with Johnson Sirleaf's 12 year tenure.

Sirleaf drew a line under years of  civil war but drew criticism for failing to root out corruption or persistent poverty.